Landscape Architecture

Landscape architecture involves applying functional and aesthetic principles to the planning, design, preservation, and management of the land. In response to social and environmental problems related to public health, welfare and safety, landscape architects combine and coordinate skills and understanding of the arts, ecology, sciences, planning, engineering, and human behavior to arrange spaces and amenities while preserving and/or restoring natural systems within the landscape for use and enjoyment.

Ball State University’s undergraduate program in landscape architecture is fully accredited by the Landscape Architectural Accreditation Board of the American Society of Landscape Architects and has been nationally ranked in the top ten programs in the USA for over a decade.

MAJOR IN LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE (BLA), 115 hours

Admissions Standards
A minimum grade-point average of 2.75 in the College of Architecture and Planning first-year course is required of all undergraduate students applying to the BLA program (or declaring an LA major). For transfer students who do not enroll in CAP courses, a minimum grade-point average of 2.75 must be earned in all prior course equivalents to the CAP first year courses.

Retention StandardsIf a student earns below a C- in any required studio or engineering course, the student must retake that course. The student may be dismissed from the program if, after the required course retake, a grade below C- is earned. Dismissal or retention of the student will be determined by the department chairperson in consultation with the current instructor of record and the department academic standard committee.

100 Introduction to Landscape Architecture (2)
An introduction to landscape architecture: lectures, site observations, and environmental experiences that focus on landscape architectural practice, representative projects, philosophy, and areas of specialization within the field.

201 Site Design (4) Application of basic design principles, programming, and analysis to small-scale site-specific landscape design problems. Visual and functional design principles as they relate to natural and cultural influences in landscape design. Open only to LA majors.

214 Field Studies (1)
On-site studies of landscape architectural projects and practices, natural areas, and historic sites and landscapes. Urban or rural field trips; may include visits to professional offices and public planning and design agencies. One three- to five-day field trip is required. Offered credit/no credit only. Parallel: LA 201.

215 Field Studies 2 (1-3)
Group field studies of landscape architectural projects and practices, natural areas, and historic sites and landscapes. Urban and rural field trips may include visits to professional offices and public planning and design agencies. A minimum of one three- to five-day field trip is required. Offered credit/no credit only.
A total of 3 hours of credit may be earned.

220 Landscape Architecture History 1 (3)
The history of landscape architecture from ancient times to 1800. Examples of landscape expressions of the human-environment relationship resulting in the conscious shaping of urban and rural landscapes, and the creation of such landscapes as parks, gardens, and urban plazas.

221 Landscape Architecture History 2 (3) The history of landscape architecture from 1800 to the present. Emphasizes the North American human-environment relationship, its relationship to European antecedents, and other cultural parallels in landscape design.

270 Environmental Systems (3)
Qualitative investigations and analysis of landscape systems. Studies include the assessment of vegetation, climate, hydrology, soils, and subsurface geology as determinants of landscape architectural form; natural processes as they relate to the principles of landscape architectural construction.

280 Computer Applications in Landscape Architecture (3) An introduction to the use of computers in landscape architecture. Emphasizes two- and three-dimensional computer-aided design and drawing, landscape data inventory and analysis, and landscape engineering. Parallel: LA 202. Open only to LA majors and minors.

301 Housing and Community Design (4) Design projects focusing on social, political, economic, cultural, and environmental issues as they relate to land-planning and site design for housing developments and residential communities. Prerequisite: LA 202 and 280. Open only to LA majors.

302 Planting Design (4)
Design problems focusing on the functional, ecological, and aesthetic uses of plants in the landscape. Prerequisite: LA 311 and 341. Open only to LA majors.

311 Landscape Architectural Engineering 1 (4) Principles and practices of landscape engineering. Emphasizes the techniques and applications of land surveying, earthwork techniques including grading and estimation, and principles of site drainage. Prerequisite: LA 270. Open only to LA majors and minors.

320 Therapeutic Landscapes (3) Principles and practices of planning and design of landscapes for healthy living. Topics may include the history and theory of therapeutic landscapes in support of health care services, active living issues in community design, and post-occupancy evaluations. Field trips may be required. Prerequisite: LA 202 or 270; or permission of the instructor.

369 Landscape Architecture Internship (0-1)
A minimum of ten weeks of supervised employment under the direction of a landscape architect or allied design professional. Departmental approval required in advance of qualified employment. Requires employer and self-evaluation reports. Requires two registrations: one zero-hour registration during semester of field experience and one one-hour registration the following fall semester. Offered credit/no credit only. Prerequisite: LA 302 and 312.
A total of 1 hour of credit may be earned. Open only to LA majors.

371 Theories and Practices of Sustainable Site Design (3) Interdisciplinary course examining theories, tools, and practices of sustainable site design and landscape planning. Connections are made between theories and green design movements; sustainable design projects are examined. Emphasis is placed on the interdisciplinary nature of sustainable design, collaboration, and site design processes for complex systems.

403 Urban Design (5) Design studio emphasizing the physical and socio-behavioral influences on the design of cities. Projects may focus on the design of new urban environments or the redesign and revitalization of existing urban centers. May include interdisciplinary studies. Prerequisite: LA 312 or 401 or permission of the instructor. Open only to LA majors.

406 Special Design Studio (2-4)
Design studio emphasizing special or unique topics in landscape architecture. Studio may be offered at on-campus or off-campus sites and may be part of an approved foreign study program. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor and the department chairperson.
A total of 4 hours of credit may be earned.

420 Historic Landscape Preservation (3)
Survey of the history, theory, and methodologies of historic landscape preservation. Includes topics in both vernacular and designed historic landscape preservation, primarily in North America. Prerequisite: LA 221 or permission of the instructor.

430 Philosophy of Landscape Architecture (3)
Readings, seminars, and lectures in the background and development of historic and contemporary philosophies of landscape architecture. Includes discussions of design and environmental issues, land use, and professional ethics. Prerequisite: LA 221 or permission of the instructor.

451 Landscape Architecture Research (3) Methods, procedures, and case studies of landscape architectural research. Includes guided development of an individual research program and proposal leading to the landscape architecture comprehensive project (LA 404).

460 Professional Practice (3)
Methods and practices of the profession of landscape architecture. Subjects include business and governmental organization, elements of contract law, business management, marketing, professional licensure, and ethics. Prerequisite: LA 302 or permission of the instructor.

471 Sustainable Land Systems (3)
Interdisciplinary course addressing sustainability in relation to diverse resource issues. It explores regions and sites as parts of land systems; and landscape planning and design integration with these systems to promote sustainability. It focuses on resource harvesting and regeneration, environmentally responsible materials and technologies, sustainable planning and design, and building-site integration.

490 Independent Projects (1-3)
An independent study in environmental topics. Prerequisite: approval of the program proposal by a faculty advisor, the professor responsible for study assessment, and the department chairperson.
A total of 6 hours of credit may be earned, but no more than 3 in any one semester or term.

498 Special Projects in Landscape Architecture (1-6)
Special and timely landscape architectural projects undertaken by groups.
A total of 9 hours of credit may be earned, but no more than 6 in any one semester or term.